Local restaurateurs Jon George and Andy Coleman signed a contract with the arena to lease the vacant restaurant space on the second floor of the arena.

"The Penalty Box" should be open within a matter of weeks, according to George. The business is in the midst of construction and awaiting its liquor license from the State Liquor Authority.

The full-service bar and restaurant will offer nine beers on tap plus spirits to start -- and plans on having 18 beers on tap within a matter of weeks after opening, George said.

Coleman and George co-own the 21st Amendment in the basement of Regency Towers at the corner of Main and Locust streets. While the 21st is closing to allow for the pair to focus on The Penalty Box, George says he doesn't look at it as the 21st moving. Rather, they're getting a brand new start in a new location with new clientele -- and a new menu.

The Penalty Box will maintain the 21st's gourmet pizza, calzones and bread sticks. It will add wings, chicken fingers, beef on weck, paninis, soups, chili and fish fries on Fridays. It will also have a line of gourmet hamburgers, including a Buffalo burger with hot sauce and blue cheese crumbles, and a Texas burger with cheddar, bacon and barbecue sauce on Texas garlic toast.

The bar will have an entrance within the arena, as well as one directly from the arena's upper parking area. The duality will serve as a metaphor for how George envisions the establishment to be, itself.

"We envision being a local neighborhood tavern that also caters to the ice arena," he said.

So why the arena? "I feel like the arena has the ability to push Lockport in the right direction," he said. "I feel like the arena could be the catalyst to put Lockport back on track and I want to be a part of that."

When it opens, The Penalty Box will be open daily from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m., perfect for hockey moms and dads to grab a bite while the kids play -- and for Lockportians out late looking to quench their thirst.